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Let's not get carried away

Socceroos assistant coach Graham Arnold has warned Australian football fans not to get too carried away with the win over Japan and predicts an emerging group of Aussie players will lead the team into the Asian Confederation.

Socceroos assistant coach Graham Arnold has warned Australian football fans not to get too carried away with the win over Japan and predicts an emerging group of Aussie players will lead the team into the Asian Confederation.

While acknowledging the win against the Asian Champions puts us in the upper echelons of the Asia region, Arnold says that post 2006 World Cup, Australia will begin a transition phase into a new era, with a number of players likely to finish their international careers.

"It-s fantastic that we are going into Asia competitions, but lets not get carried away," Arnold said.

"After this World Cup we are going to have a whole new era, as we probably have 10-12 guys retiring (before the next World Cup in 2010)."

Players such as Stan Lazaridis, Tony Popovic, and the two first choice keepers Mark Schwarzer and Zeljko Kalac will be in their late thirties by the time 2010 comes around, although in the case of keepers, its not uncommon for keepers to still be playing at the highest levels at that age.

Others like Craig Moore, Josip Skoko, Ante Covic, John Aloisi, Scott Chipperfield and Mark Viduka will all be approaching their mid-30-s and while one or two of these might still be around, its unlikely all of them will be.

It-s highly likely that some having reached the World Cup finals and achieved that goal, may retire straight after their commitments at the World Cup, although it-s believed some are keen to have at least one shot at the Asian Cup Finals, which will be held in 2007.

"There is going to be a lot of retirements for some wonderful players who have been fantastic for the national team over a number of years."

"What-s coming through is to be seen and I think that-s why a stable decision needs to be made (in reference to the next coach). A decision made that someone is looking at the bigger picture, not the short term of where they are coming from and where they are."

Asked where he thought that next crop of players was going to come from, Arnold was in no doubts that many of these will come from Australia-s very own Hyundai A-League competition that successfully kicked off last year.

"I think the future is A-League with Asia," commented Arnold.

"I think a lot of players for the Asian Cup should come from the Hyundai A-League and expose them to international football, because not many have been exposed to international football."

One player who should figure prominently over the next four years at least, is Josh Kennedy. The tall striker has been one of the success stories so far during the World Cup campaign since his surprise call up to the squad and showed his value by playing a major role in Australia-s victory over Japan.

"That is why he was picked," said Arnold, when asked if is one of those for the future.

"You saw what he did...he-s a total handful in the air.

"People raised their eyebrows back at home when his name was read out as a surprise selection, but we scouted him enough to know what he could do and what difference he gives us.

"He is totally different from Johnny (Aloisi) and (Mark) Viduka, you know if you have to change your style during a game, he comes in well for it."

Australia-s Asian Cup campaign will continue in August, with matches against Kuwait and Lebanon. It won its first game of the qualifying tournament with a 3-1 win against Bahrain.

Due to its World Cup commitments Australia has only playing one game with the rest of the field having played two rounds, but Australia still leads the group and is favourite to go through to the finals to be held in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.